Microsoft Program Announcements
Update to specialisation criteria
Performance metrics now use standard rounding—partners within 0.5% of the requirement may now qualify to enroll in or renew a specialisation.
- Date: March 23, 2026
- Workspace: General
- Impacted audience: Partners with an existing specialisation. Partners who may now qualify to enroll in or renew a specialisation based on updated rounding rules.
New Microsoft Azure assets for SMB audiences
Engage customers in the small and medium-sized business (SMB) market with this purpose-built go-to-market content covering all things Microsoft Azure.
- Date: March 16, 2026 – updated March 18, 2026
- Workspace: General
- Impacted audience: Distributors, Indirect Reseller Partners, Direct Bill Partners, SSP/LSPs
Extended promotion on Microsoft Sentinel 50-GB commitment tier in public preview
Extended Microsoft Sentinel 50-GB commitment tier and promotion.
- Date: March 12, 2026
- Workspace: General
- Impacted audience: Security Partners: EA, CSP, and Direct Resellers
Final reminder: MFA enforcement for Partner Center APIs begins April 1
Enable multifactor authentication before April 1, 2026, to avoid blocked API calls and service disruptions.
- Date: March 12, 2026
- Workspace: General
- Impacted audience: All partners
Monthly Microsoft AL Cloud Partner Program update
This month’s updates continue to enhance partner differentiation and readiness across high-demand solution areas. Key changes include specialisation updates that integrate AI capabilities, revised skilling and performance requirements, and streamlined qualification frameworks to support partner growth and agility.
- Date: March 4, 2026
- Workspace: Membership
- Impacted audience: Partners enrolled in the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program
Windows 365 Business - 20% price decrease coming May 1, 2026
Windows 365 Business – 20% price decrease, making Cloud personal computers (PCs) more cost effective for small and medium business customers.
- Date: April/8/26
- Workspace: General
- Impacted audience: Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) partners
SKU Naming Update: Microsoft Teams Premium and Microsoft Teams Events
SKU naming update: Microsoft Teams Premium and Microsoft Teams Events
- Date: April 3, 2026
- Workspace: General
- Impacted audience: Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) direct bill partners and distributors
License Mobility for Windows Server and SQL Server subscriptions
Windows Server and SQL Server CSP subscriptions include License Mobility rights starting April 1, 2026.
- Date: April 1, 2026
- Workspace: General
- Impacted audience: All CSP partners (direct bill, indirect resellers, and distributors) who sell or support Windows Server or SQL Server subscriptions under the Microsoft Customer Agreement.
Exciting News: First Distribution has officially achieved all 6 Microsoft Solution Partner Designations!
Microsoft: Changes to free grace period policy and new extended service terms coming in May 2026
Create upsell motions during renewal conversations and maintain service without a full subscription commitment. Changes to free grace period policy and new extended service terms coming in May 2026.
NEW! Microsoft Fabric Launch Incentive for Net‑New Tenants (F8+)
We’re excited to announce a limited‑time incentive to support your customers adopting Microsoft Fabric.
Starting immediately, First Distribution is offering cash‑back rebates on the first month’s consumption for F8 and higher Fabric capacity SKUs, applicable to all net‑new Fabric tenants.
Microsoft 365 Pricing and Packaging Updates
New capabilities will begin to roll out in June 2026. Customers will receive a 30‑day notice in Message Center before the update becomes available in their tenant.
Roll out of the following features will be complete by August 1, 2026: Microsoft Defender for Office 365 Plan 1, Intune Remote Help, Intune Advanced Analytics, Intune Plan 2, Intune Privilege Management, Microsoft Cloud PKI, and Intune Application Management. Packaging details are provided in the table below.
Extended Term (EST) Communication to Partner
- When auto-renew is disabled, the subscription is correctly moved into Extended Term in the backend (Partner Center)
- The webstore does not yet support this functionality and therefore displays an incorrect status.
- This should not be communicated as auto-renew being re-enabled
Please avoid describing this behaviour as:
- Auto-renew being switched back on
- A webstore glitch or defect